ILIGAN CITY, Dec. 18 (PIA)–Teams from 17 schools of Iligan City gathered for the opening of the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) tournament, December 14 at the BFF Training Center, Barangay Luinab, here.
The event aims to promote friendly competition and camaraderie among the basketball teams of Iligan City.
“I hope kani nga liga dako ni ug mahatag sa ato nga impact. Kita diri, dili man kay ingon nga dula-dula lang. Atong paningkamutan nga maka-gain ta ug friends para daghan ta ug maila. Kani nga program in partnership with Congressman Siao, among paningkamutan nga magpadayon gyud ni siya sa daghan pa nga tuig,” said NBTC-Iligan City Commissioner Jeff Villabona.
(I hope this league will have a big impact on us. This is not just a game for us. Let’s do our best to gain friends and acquaintances. We’ll also do our best to make this program, in partnership with Congressman Siao, continue for many years.
The participating schools include the Iligan City National High School (ICNHS), St. Michael’s College (SMC), Iligan City East High School (ICEHS), Iligan City East National High School (ICENHS), Iligan Capitol College (ICC), St. Therese Academy, Iligan Medical Center College (IMCC), Tomas Cabili National High School, Kabacsanan National High School, La Salle Academy (LSA), Lanao Chung Hua High School, Mindanao State University (MSU)-Marawi, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology Integrated Developmental School (MSU-IIT IDS), San Miguel Village School, Iligan City National School of Fisheries (ICNSF), Iligan City East High School (ICEHS)-Santiago, and Iligan Computer Institute (ICI).
For his part, Iligan City Lone District Representative Frederick W. Siao said, “You [participants] are fortunate nga naa’y ing-ani nga liga sa inyohang panahon kay sa una wala ni siya. Ang mga bata sa una wala gyu’y klarong training sa basics. At least natudluan mo karon ug sakto nga pamaagi, moves, ug techniques sa basketball.”
(You are fortunate that you have this league this time. Children before didn’t have this. They didn’t have proper training on the basics. At least now you’ve been taught the right strategies, moves, and techniques in basketball.)
He announced that he had filed a bill giving athlete medalists Civil Service Eligibility. “Kung kinsa man ang makakuha ug medals sa Olympics, Asian Games, SEA games, and international competitions na sanctioned sa Philippine Sports Commission, matagaan ug Civil Service Eligibility. Dili ra ni siya limited sa basketball.”
(Any athlete who wins medals in the Olympics, Asian Games, SEA games, and international competitions that are sanctioned by the Philippine Sports Commission would be given Civil Service Eligibility. This is not limited to basketball.)
He said athletes need this as protection especially at the end of their sports careers. He also reminded the participants to take good care of their health at all times and to prioritize their education.
“I’m reminding you all nga ang pagskwela is very important. Dili sigurado ang future ani [sports] tungod kay daghan kaayo ang competition. Pila ra kabuok ang makasulod sa PBA. Pila ra kabuok musikat sa PBA. So unaha inyong pagskwela ug gamita inyong involvement sa sports para disiplina,” he added.
(I’m reminding you all that education is very important. The future in sports is not certain due to tough competition. Only very few can get into the PBA. Very few can become popular in PBA. So prioritize your education and use your involvement in sports for discipline.)
The NBTC-Iligan City tournament is organized in partnership with the Office of Rep. Frederick Siao. It is part of the Siao’s advocacy to promote the culture of sports in Iligan City. The tournament continues until December 22. (Iligan LGU/PIA10)
